Hong Kong police arrested 199 people and shut down seven illegal gambling businesses as part of an ongoing crackdown on organized crime. [Image: Shutterstock.com]

Police in Hong Kong continued their ongoing fight against organized crime by arresting 119 people and taking down a variety of illegal businesses. The authorities revealed on Monday that eight of the people apprehended are allegedly part of a fraud ring that got six people to sell them luxury products in exchange for what turned out to be fake cash, with the victims losing out to the tune of HK$2m (US$256,945).

the closure of seven illegal gambling facilities

The extensive two-week operation led to 119 arrests and the closure of seven illegal gambling facilities and over a dozen drug dens. Police discovered HK$1.9m (US$244,098) of cocaine at a residence that appears to have been a facility for producing drugs. Some of the images the authorities released show casino chips and baccarat tables.

The people arrested are facing numerous charges, including the trafficking of a dangerous drug, running illegal gambling and sex businesses, as well as managing drug dens. Law enforcement will continue cracking down against organized crime; Senior Inspector Thomas Anthony Lo, who is part of the anti-fraud force, said that they will keep targeting gambling, sex, and drug-related operations.